History

The Review Board for the archdiocese of Omaha was established in January of 2003 by Archbishop Elden Curtiss in response to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ approval of two documents, “The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” (June, 2002) and “The Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons,” (December, 2002). The Review Board was selected through the efforts of a lay task force. Members were recommended to the archbishop by pastors in July 2002. The task force functioned autonomously through its entire process.

On December 16, 2002, the task force presented Archbishop Curtiss with a slate of 11 individuals, drawn from more than 100 interested lay people from across the archdiocese. The archbishop accepted the entire slate. On January 16, 2003, Archbishop Curtiss publicly announced the membership of the Review Board in a news conference held at the chancery. All recommended candidates were present and accepted the invitation to serve on the Review Board. The first meeting of the Review Board was held on April 14, 2003.